Paintball gun with rearwardly removable pneumatic assembly

ABSTRACT

A paintball gun having a rearwardly removable pneumatic assembly is provided. The pneumatic assembly preferably comprises a bolt and a bolt housing. A pneumatic cylinder is preferably arranged within a body of the paintball gun to receive the pneumatic assembly. A rearward opening is preferably provided in the body to provide access to the pneumatic cylinder for positioning and removal of the pneumatic assembly. The pneumatic assembly can be configured for removal with or without tools. In one embodiment, a cover plate can also be provided to cover the rearward opening in the body and prevent access to the pneumatic assembly until the cover plate is removed. A solenoid valve assembly is also provided having an upper and lower body section connected together through a tab and detent structure.

This application claims priority from Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60/979,754 filed Oct. 12, 2007 and 60/981,299 filed Oct. 19, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to pneumatic paintball guns (“markers”) and their operating components. More particularly, this invention relates to a pneumatic paintball gun that permits rearward removal of the pneumatic components of the paintball gun.

2. Related Art

Modern paintball guns are generally capable of operating at high rates of fire. At high rates of fire, even when electronic sensors and other sophisticated equipment are used to prevent ball breaks in the breech of the paintball gun, ball breaks may occasionally occur. The internal paintball gun chambers and components may also need routine maintenance and/or lubrication. When a ball breaks in the breech of the paintball gun, or when other cleaning or servicing of the internal pneumatic components needs to take place, a bolt and/or other pneumatic components of the paintball gun must generally be removed to gain access to the breech and the internal pneumatic components of the paintball gun. Although quick-removal bolt assemblies, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,237,544, have been provided for a number of years for stacked-tube design paintball guns, quick removal solutions for single-bore or spool-valve designs have been more complicated to provide. Improved and simplified control systems for electro-pneumatic paintball guns are also desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The industry would be benefited by a quick-removal pneumatic assembly for a single-bore or spool-valve style paintball gun that unthreads quickly and safely from the paintball gun body. It may also be beneficial to provide an access plate that covers the removable pneumatic assembly in certain models of the invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a pneumatic paintball gun can include a body and a grip frame. The body and the grip frame can be formed separately or integrally, and are preferably formed from a molded plastic, rubber, or other rugged but relatively inexpensive material. The body preferably includes a chamber configured to receive a pneumatic assembly. The pneumatic assembly preferably provides several of the operating components of the paintball gun including a bolt, a compressed gas storage area, and a firing mechanism. A pneumatic assembly housing (or cylinder) can be formed of metal, plastic, or a combination of materials and, in addition to housing the pneumatic components, can be configured to receive a barrel and a feed tube. A pneumatic regulator can also be provided and can, for example, be a vertical, in-line regulator or a bottom-mount regulator.

The bolt preferably includes a forward and a rearward piston surface area. A quantity of compressed gas is preferably selectively supplied and vented from a forward piston surface area through a mechanical or electro-pneumatic valving mechanism. The firing mechanism preferably consists of a sealing member arranged in selective communication with an outer surface of the bolt. One or more firing ports are preferably arranged in the bolt to communicate compressed gas through the bolt to launch a paintball. Compressed gas from the regulator can be supplied to the compressed gas storage area through a supply port. The flow of compressed gas into the compressed gas storage area can be restricted or prevented during a firing operation to increase gas efficiency of the paintball gun.

In operation, compressed gas is preferably supplied to the paintball gun from a compressed gas container through a pressure regulator. The compressed gas is preferably directed from the pressure regulator to the valving mechanism and to a supply port for feeding the compressed gas storage area. Compressed gas supplied to the valving mechanism is preferably transferred through the valving mechanism to the forward surface area of the bolt piston when the valving mechanism is in a neutral (non-actuated) position. This compressed gas acts on the forward bolt piston surface area to force the bolt into a rearward position. While the bolt is in a rearward position, a paintball is allowed to load into a breech of the paintball gun from the feed tube. In addition, while the bolt is rearward, the gas supply port is preferably allowed to rapidly transmit compressed gas into the compressed gas storage area.

A trigger mechanism is preferably configured to operate the valving mechanism. When the trigger is depressed, the valving mechanism is preferably actuated to vent compressed gas away from the forward piston surface area of the bolt. Compressed gas is preferably applied to a rearward surface area of the bolt piston. The rearward surface area of the bolt piston can be arranged, for example, in the compressed gas storage area or at a rearward end of the bolt. The compressed gas applied to the rearward surface area of the bolt piston can therefore be supplied from the compressed gas storage area or from a separate supply port. When the compressed gas is vented from the forward bolt piston surface area, the pressure applied to the rearward bolt piston surface area preferably causes the bolt to move to a forward position.

When the bolt transitions to its forward position, a sealing member of the firing mechanism preferably disengages from the bolt surface area, permitting compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area to enter the bolt firing ports and launch a paintball from the marker. In addition, with the bolt in the firing position, the flow of compressed gas into the compressed gas storage area can be restricted. This can be accomplished, for instance, by configuring a rearward portion of the bolt to reduce the area through which compressed gas travels from the supply port to the compressed gas storage area. Alternatively, the supply of compressed gas to the compressed gas storage chamber can be cut off completely to prevent compressed gas from entering the storage chamber during the firing operation. This can be accomplished, for instance, by closing off the gas supply port using sealing members on a rearward end of the bolt, using sealing members on a separate, independent piston, by pinching a gas supply tube, or using a separate valving mechanism.

The valving mechanism can be a solenoid valve (such as a three-way solenoid valve), a mechanical valve, or other valving mechanism. In the case of a solenoid valve, an electronic circuit is preferably provided to control the operation of the solenoid valve based on actuation of a trigger mechanism. A switch, such as a microswitch or other switching device, is preferably arranged in communication with the trigger to send an actuation signal to the electronic circuit in response to a pull of the trigger. A power source is also preferably provided to supply power to the electronic circuit and solenoid valve. The valving mechanism preferably vents compressed gas away from a forward bolt piston surface area in response to a firing signal from the circuit board. In the case of a mechanical valve, the mechanical valve preferably communicates with the trigger to vent the compressed gas away from the forward bolt piston surface area in response to a trigger pull.

In one embodiment, the bolt and pneumatic assembly are preferably removable through a rearward opening in the paintball gun body. In some embodiments, this rearward opening can be covered during operation of the paintball by an access plate. The removable portion of the pneumatic assembly can, for instance, include a bolt sleeve, a bolt stop, and a bolt.

According to a still further aspect of this invention, an improved apparatus and method for mounting a circuit board can be provided. In this embodiment, the circuit board is preferably configured with a solenoid valve mounted thereon in a small profile that fits in a longitudinal position with respect to the paintball gun. This circuit board and solenoid valve can, for instance, fit in an upper chamber of a grip frame of the paintball gun.

Various other aspects, embodiments, and configurations of this invention are also possible without departing from the principles disclosed herein. This invention is therefore not limited to any of the particular aspects, embodiments, or configurations described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, made with reference to the accompanying figures, in which various views of multiple embodiments of the present are shown to provide a complete enablement of the invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of a paintball gun (“marker”) having a rearwardly removable pneumatic assembly according to various principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the paintball gun of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of the marker of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of the pneumatic chamber, circuit board, solenoid valve, and regulator of the paintball gun of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of the rearwardly removable pneumatic assembly of FIG. 4 shown without the pneumatic chamber, along with the circuit board and regulator;

FIG. 6 is a somewhat schematic side view of the circuit board and solenoid valve for the paintball gun of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of the solenoid valve and connections for the paintball gun of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of another paintball gun with a rearwardly removable pneumatic assembly incorporating additional features of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the paintball gun of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of the marker of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of yet another paintball gun having a removable pneumatic assembly according to various further principles of this invention;

FIG. 12 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of a pneumatic cylinder with removable pneumatic assembly and electronic control unit of the paintball gun of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of the pneumatic cylinder and pneumatic assembly of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13A is a somewhat schematic perspective view of the pneumatic cylinder and pneumatic assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 14 is a somewhat schematic side view of the removable pneumatic assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 14A is a somewhat schematic perspective view of the pneumatic assembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15 is a somewhat schematic side view of the bolt housing of the pneumatic assembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15A is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of the bolt housing of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 15B is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the bolt housing of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various preferred aspects of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. It should be noted, however, that the following description is provided by way of example only and not of limitation, and that many other implementations and embodiments of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based on the disclosure herein. The scope of the invention is therefore not limited to the particular embodiments described herein.

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of a paintball gun 100 having a rearwardly removable pneumatic assembly according to principles of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the paintball gun 100 includes a body 110 having a grip frame 120 and receiving a pneumatic regulator 130 and a feedneck 140. The body 110 is also configured to receive a barrel (not shown) into the breech of the paintball gun 100.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are somewhat schematic cross-sectional perspective and side views, respectively, of the paintball gun 100 of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a pneumatic assembly 200 is arranged in a pneumatic cylinder 150 of the paintball gun 100 through a rearward opening in the body 110. The pneumatic assembly 200 preferably includes a bolt 210 and a bolt housing 220. The bolt housing 220 is preferably removably connectable (i.e., through a threaded connection 151, 221) to the pneumatic cylinder 150. The pneumatic cylinder 150 also preferably provides threads 152 in a breech end for connection to a barrel (not shown).

Using the principles of the present invention, removal of the pneumatic operating components 200 of the paintball gun 100 is simple and straightforward. Tool or tool-less removal of the assembly can be provided. In this embodiment, a tool, such as an allen wrench can be inserted into the tool receptacle 230 and rotated counterclockwise to unthread the connection between the bolt housing 220 and the pneumatic cylinder 150 and thereby release the pneumatic assembly 200 from its connection with the paintball gun 100. The pneumatic assembly 200 can then be gripped by the gripping surfaces 240 provided at the rearward end of the pneumatic assembly 200 and removed from the paintball gun 100 by extracting it out the rearward opening of the body 110.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 4 and 5, which provide a view of the pneumatic cylinder 150 and pneumatic assembly 200 removed from the body 110 and cylinder 150, respectively, the pneumatic cylinder 150 is arranged in connection with an electronic control unit 400 of the paintball gun 100. The electronic control unit 400 preferably includes a circuit board 410, a solenoid valve 420, a trigger-actuated switch 430 and a power supply connection 440. The solenoid valve 420 is preferably mounted to the circuit board 410 in a low profile, with the circuit board 410 being arranged having a longitudinal orientation in the paintball gun. This longitudinal orientation can be, for instance, substantially parallel to and below the pneumatic cylinder 150. The circuit board 410 and attached solenoid valve 420 can be mounted in an upper tray or chamber of the grip frame 120 of the paintball gun 100.

In operation, the solenoid valve 420 receives compressed gas from the regulator 130 and feeds the compressed gas into a compressed gas storage area 160 of the paintball gun 100. In this embodiment, the compressed gas is fed into the pneumatic assembly through an input port 222 in the bolt housing 220 and is then fed into the compressed gas storage area 160 through one or more openings 162 arranged through the sidewall of the bolt housing 220.

The solenoid valve 420 also feeds compressed gas into communication with a forward piston surface area 212 of the bolt 210 to hold the bolt 210 in an open position until a firing signal is received from the circuit board 410 in response to actuation of the trigger-actuated switch 430. When the trigger is pulled and a firing signal is sent to the solenoid valve 420, compressed gas is vented away from the forward end of the piston 212 and the compressed gas in the compressed gas storage chamber 160 forces the bolt 210 forward, loading a paintball in the breech of the paintball gun 100 and releasing compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber 160 through the bolt 210 to fire the paintball from the paintball gun 100 and through the attached barrel (not shown). One or more openings 162 can be provided in the bolt housing 220 of the pneumatic assembly 200 to receive compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber and thereby provide a part of the compressed gas storage chamber 160 within the pneumatic assembly.

FIG. 6 is a somewhat schematic side view of the paintball gun electronic control unit 400, and FIG. 7 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of the solenoid valve 420. Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the solenoid valve 420 receives compressed gas from the regulator through a hose 422 connected to an input terminal 423 in the lower housing 421 of the solenoid valve 420. Compressed gas is fed into the compressed gas storage area 160 (see FIG. 3) from the solenoid valve's rearward output port 426. Compressed gas from forward output port 425 is supplied to the bolt piston 212. Connections 425 a, 426 a connect the gas outputs of the solenoid valve 420 to the pneumatic cylinder 150 (see FIG. 3). An upper body 427 of the solenoid valve 420 can be connected to the lower body 421 through a tab 429 and detent 428 connection.

FIGS. 8-10 provide schematic perspective, cross-sectional perspective, and cross-sectional side views of a paintball gun 100A constructed according to additional principles of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 8-10, a paintball gun 100A constructed according to this embodiment is similar in internal construction and operation to the embodiment 100 described previously, apart from a few differences. Unlike the previous embodiment 100, for instance, in this embodiment 100A, the body 110A includes a cover plate 111 that covers the rearward opening of the paintball gun body 110. In order to gain access to the rearwardly removable pneumatic assembly 200, therefore, this cover plate 111 must first be removed. Also, a barrel shroud 155 is preferably provided in a forward end of the body 110A to surround a barrel (not shown) attached to the breech threads 152A of the pneumatic cylinder 150A. The body 110A is also different than that of the previous body, providing a more militaristic appearance and including accessory rails and other features to facilitate attachment of various external accessories.

FIGS. 11-15B provide various views of another pneumatic paintball gun and removable pneumatic assembly according to a still further embodiment incorporating principles of the present invention. Referring now to FIGS. 11-15B, a paintball gun 100C having a rearwardly removable pneumatic assembly 200C includes a body 110C having a grip frame 120C and receiving a pneumatic regulator 130C and a feedneck 140C. The body 110C is also configured to receive a barrel (not shown) into the breech of the paintball gun 100C.

The pneumatic assembly 200C is arranged in a pneumatic cylinder 150C of the paintball gun 100C through a rearward opening in the body 110C. The pneumatic assembly 200C preferably includes a bolt 210C and a bolt housing 220C. The bolt housing 220C is preferably removably connectable (i.e., through a threaded connection 151C, 221C) to the pneumatic cylinder 150C. The pneumatic cylinder 150C also preferably provides threads 152C in a breech end for connection to a barrel (not shown).

According to principles of the present invention, removal of the pneumatic operating components 200C of the paintball gun 100C can be accomplished by unthreading the connection between the bolt housing 220C and the pneumatic cylinder 150C to thereby release the pneumatic assembly 200C from its connection with the paintball gun 100C. The pneumatic assembly 200C can be gripped by the gripping surfaces 240C provided at the rearward end of the pneumatic assembly 200C and removed from the paintball gun 100C by extracting it out the rearward opening of the body 110C.

The pneumatic cylinder 150C is also preferably arranged in connection with an electronic control unit 400C of the paintball gun 100C. The electronic control unit 400C preferably includes a circuit board 410C, a solenoid valve 420C, a trigger-actuated switch 430C and a power supply connection 440C. In this embodiment, the solenoid valve 420C is mounted to the circuit board 410C, with the circuit board arranged in a transverse relationship with respect to the paintball gun's pneumatic cylinder 150C within the grip frame 120C.

In operation, the solenoid valve 420C receives compressed gas from the regulator 130C and feeds the compressed gas into a compressed gas storage area 160C of the paintball gun 100C. The compressed gas storage area 160C in this embodiment is preferably provided by a removable sleeve 223 a that can be selected and placed within the forward body section 223 of the bolt housing 220C to provide a desired volume for the storage area 160C. In this embodiment, the compressed gas is fed into the pneumatic assembly through an input port 222C in the bolt housing 220C and fills the compressed gas storage area 160C within the sleeve 223 a of the bolt housing 220C, 223.

The solenoid valve 420C preferably also feeds compressed gas into communication with a forward piston surface area 212C of the bolt 210C to hold the bolt 210C in an open position until a firing signal is received from the circuit board 410C in response to actuation of the trigger-actuated switch 430C. When the trigger is pulled and a firing signal is sent to the solenoid valve 420C, compressed gas is then preferably vented away from the forward end of the piston 212C, and the compressed gas in the compressed gas storage chamber 160C then forces the bolt 210C forward, loading a paintball in the breech of the paintball gun 100C and releasing compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber 160C through the bolt 210C to fire the paintball from the paintball gun 100C and through the attached barrel (not shown). Connections 425C, 426C connect the gas outputs of the solenoid valve 420C to the pneumatic cylinder 150C.

Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention with respect to various preferred embodiments thereof, it should be apparent that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. Numerous modifications and variations to the foregoing embodiments are possible and will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The appended claims should therefore be interpreted to cover all such modifications and variations. 

1. A paintball gun having a removable pneumatic assembly, said paintball gun comprising: a body having an opening; a pneumatic cylinder arranged in the body in communication with the opening; and a removable pneumatic assembly configured to be arranged in and removed from the body through the opening, wherein said pneumatic assembly comprises a bolt and a bolt housing.
 2. A paintball gun according to claim 1, wherein the opening is arranged in a rearward end of the body.
 3. A paintball gun according to claim 1, wherein the pneumatic cylinder is removably attached within a chamber of the body.
 4. A paintball gun according to claim 3, wherein the pneumatic cylinder is mechanically coupled to an electronic control unit of the paintball gun.
 5. A paintball gun according to claim 4, wherein the electronic control unit comprises a solenoid valve.
 6. A paintball gun according to claim 5, wherein the solenoid valve comprises output ports pneumatically connected to the pneumatic cylinder.
 7. A paintball gun according to claim 1, wherein the pneumatic assembly further comprises threads to removably connect with mating threads in the pneumatic cylinder.
 8. A paintball gun according to claim 1, wherein the pneumatic cylinder comprises a compressed gas storage area and wherein the pneumatic assembly comprises a plurality of openings to receive compressed gas from a compressed gas storage area of the pneumatic cylinder.
 9. A paintball gun according to claim 1, further comprising a cover plate configured to be removably attachable to the body and cover the opening.
 10. A paintball gun according to claim 9, wherein the opening is in a rearward end of the paintball gun.
 11. A removable pneumatic assembly for a paintball gun, said pneumatic assembly comprising: a bolt housing having threads configured to be removably connectable to a pneumatic cylinder of the paintball gun; a bolt slidably arranged in the bolt housing; and one or more openings arranged through a sidewall of the bolt housing to receive compressed gas from a compressed gas storage area of the pneumatic cylinder.
 12. A pneumatic assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a tool receptacle arranged on a rearward end of the pneumatic assembly to receive a tool to thread and unthread the assembly into and from the pneumatic cylinder.
 13. A pneumatic assembly according to claim 11, further comprising an input port arranged through a sidewall of the bolt housing to convey compressed gas into the bolt housing and through the one or more openings into the compressed gas storage area.
 14. A pneumatic assembly according to claim 13, wherein an area within the bolt housing provides part of the compressed gas storage area when the pneumatic assembly is positioned within a paintball gun.
 15. A pneumatic assembly according to claim 11, wherein the bolt housing comprises a gripping surface on the rearward end of the bolt housing to permit the pneumatic assembly to be removed from the paintball gun without tools.
 16. A solenoid valve assembly for a paintball gun, comprising: a lower body section having an input port; an upper body section having an output port; and wherein the upper and lower body sections are removably connected together using a tab and detent mechanism.
 17. A solenoid valve assembly according to claim 16, further comprising a plurality of output ports arranged in the upper body section.
 18. A solenoid valve assembly according to claim 17, wherein the solenoid valve assembly is configured to selectively supply compressed gas from the input port to one or more of the plurality of output ports.
 19. A solenoid valve according to claim 18, wherein the solenoid valve is configured to supply compressed gas to a first input port when the solenoid valve is deactuated.
 20. A solenoid valve according to claim 19, wherein the solenoid valve is configured to vent compressed gas from the first input port when the solenoid valve is actuated. 